There are some very valid reasons for declaring the start/finish line closed.
All of which have to do with convenience of RC.
When you have multiple starts it is very easy to have fleets starting while other fleets are sailing back through the line.
It's generally suicidal for a boat to sail downwind into a pack of starters, so this is rarely a real issue. It is certainly no more of an issue than sailing downwind past the pin end of the line just after a start.
Closing the line is realy only a problem with a wide start line and a leeward mark that is only a short distance from the finish.
Wherever it happens to be and however long it happens to be, it's still an unnecesary obstruction. It does not serve the sailors.
IF you only have 1 or 2 fleets then it isn't a big deal.
Can you explain? I don't really see where the number of fleets comes into play.
If you have the manpower, remove the pin end of the line and set a new short finish line.
If you have a closed line, then you often do not have the option of moving the pin. If you have boats steering wide of the long line, it becomes unfair to shorten it.
If you have the manpower, set a course with separate start and finish lines. Or you could just keep track of the boats so you know when they're finishing vs. just crossing.
I've never come across a closed start/finish line that solved more problems than it created.
Regards,
Eric
